Comprehensive Study Guide for Units One, Two, and Three: Theological Foundations, Social Order, and Church History

Theological Foundations and Human Dignity

The Kingdom of God is defined as God’s reign, or rule, over all things. This kingdom was brought to the earth by Christ when He established the Church. It is false to claim that the Kingdom of God is not on Earth. At the core of the human experience is dignity, which is the inherent value or worth of the human person. This value is rooted in the fact that God created each person in His own image and likeness and loves each individual for their own sake. It is a fundamental truth that all people are born with equal dignity; the statement that some are born with less dignity than others is false. Furthermore, the love of one's neighbor is inseparable from the love of God.

The soul is the innermost part of a human being and is the principle that gives life to the body. Contrary to purely materialistic views, it is false to assert that consciousness always stops when brain activity stops. Evidence for a non-physical soul can be found in the phenomenon of terminal lucidity, where individuals are able to think clearly and express themselves even without a functioning brain. Additionally, reports of near-death experiences often include various phenomena, though seeing a vision of God’s face is NOT among the specific experiences reported in the context of these studies. Every baptized person is considered a member of the Body of Christ.

Concepts of Love and Moral Virtues

Love, in its most basic definition, is to want what is good for another person. The highest form of love is Agape, which is described as sacrificial or self-giving love. This is the love that God has for us and the level of love to which He calls all people. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is the best illustration of this agape love. Unlike other forms of love, agape is not defined as simple love between family members. Another form of love is Charity, a Theological Virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. Eros, another manifestation of love, is distinct; for instance, giving a warm blanket to a homeless person is NOT an example of eros, as eros typically refers to romantic or passionate love. Jesus taught that His followers should love everyone and that the best way to show love for Him is to keep His commandments.

Chastity is a moral virtue that assists individuals in managing their desires for bodily and spiritual pleasure according to God's intentions. It specifically requires the self-mastery of sexual feelings. It is an error to believe that chastity is only important for married couples; it is a virtue for all. Solidarity is another essential practice, defined as a direct demand of Christian brotherhood. Through solidarity, we care for our fellow Christians and share their burdens. However, simply walking in nature is NOT a way to practice the virtue of solidarity.

Social Order and the Common Good

A society is a group of people united by a common purpose that transcends, or is greater than, each individual member. Both society and community are considered inherently part of human nature. The Common Good refers to the sum total of social conditions that allow individuals and groups to live as they ought to live more fully and easily. The only legitimate purpose of any human government is to seek this common good for its citizens. While government is necessary for a functioning society (making the claim that it is unnecessary false), citizens are not obligated to follow laws that are unjust.

Peace is defined as the security and stability of a just order. Within any social structure, especially the family, joy is achieved through sacrifice. According to Pope St. John Paul II, for a family to be joyful, every member must make sacrifices to serve the other members. In the biblical account of the widow and her son, it is noted that they did not die after providing food and drink to the prophet Elijah.

The Nature of the Family and Interpersonal Relations

A family consists of a man and a woman united in marriage together with their children. Parents are recognized as the primary educators of their children. Children, in turn, have a responsibility of filial respect, which is the respect shown toward one's parents. This responsibility extends to caring for parents at the end of their lives. It is important to note that while we are called to view God as a Father, the transcript specifies that it is false to say God models His behavior toward us based on how human fathers care for their children; rather, the divine fatherhood is the archetype. The word "Abba" used by Jesus is most closely translated from Aramaic as "daddy."

Friendship is a relationship between two or more people brought together for a common reason or purpose. The book of Sirach offers wisdom on this subject, suggesting that while one may have many friends, one should only trust a few people. Sirach also notes that faithful friends are a sturdy shelter and a lifesaver, but he does NOT state that faithful friends are a reward for suffering. The proverb "Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another" implies that people help to strengthen one another through their interactions.

Values, Laws, and Justice

Justice is a cardinal virtue representing the constant and firm will to give God and neighbor their due. The state of humanity before the introduction of sin is known as Original Justice. This was a time characterized by the absence of suffering and death, where mankind lived in harmony with himself, all of creation, and between genders. This state was lost following the first sin of Adam and Eve. The Golden Rule is a central moral principle, and its negative counterpart, the Silver Rule, focuses on what one should not do to others.

Religious and moral teachings are further categorized into works of mercy. The Corporal Works of Mercy are loving actions that meet a person's physical needs, such as giving drink to the thirsty. Instructing the ignorant, however, is NOT a Corporal Work of Mercy; it is a Spiritual Work of Mercy. Spiritual Works of Mercy are actions intended to meet the needs of a person's soul.

The Church: Structure, History, and Mission

The Church is described using several terms. "Ecclesia" is a Latin word meaning "to call out of" or "assembly." Its Hebrew equivalent is "Qahal," which refers to the assembly or congregation of the People of God in the Old Testament. The hierarchy of the Church is the visible leadership structure consisting of the pope, bishops, priests, and deacons, all united by faith and the Sacraments. This hierarchy is rooted in the Apostles ordaining bishops as their successors. Jesus built His Church upon Peter.

The Church exists in different states: the Church Triumphant consists of those in Heaven enjoying the Beatific Vision, while the Church Suffering refers to those undergoing purification in Purgatory. An Apostolic Father is a leader of the Church who was taught directly by the Apostles. The public worship of the Church is called the Liturgy, which is the participation of God's people in the Paschal Mystery; the primary and greatest example of the Liturgy is the Mass.

Significant historical milestones include the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability in the Roman Empire during which Jesus was born. The Edict of Milan was the legal instrument that legalized Christianity within the Roman Empire. During the history of the Church, North African Muslims known as the Moors posed a threat, particularly to the Eastern Roman Empire. The Council of Chalcedon was a pivotal event that declared the bishop of Rome had preeminence over all other bishops.

Doctrine, Heresy, and Saints

Doctrine refers to the revealed teachings of Christ proclaimed by the authority of the Church, and the faithful are obligated to believe in these doctrines. A heresy is the obstinate denial after Baptism of a truth that must be believed with divine and Catholic faith. For example, Arians held heretical views; it is false to say they believed the Father and the Son were consubstantial. The Hypostatic Union is the doctrine describing the union of divine and human natures in the one divine Person of Jesus Christ.

Several saints and figures shaped Church history. St. Jerome is known for translating the Bible into Latin, a version known as the Vulgate. St. Augustine wrote The City of God following the sack of Rome; however, his book The Confessions is NOT the same as the Didache. St. Boniface is recognized as the Apostle of the Germans. St. Maria Goretti was a young martyr; notably, she was NOT $18$ when she died (she was younger). St. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, but she did NOT think that all people should become religious sisters or brothers. Louis and Zélie Martin were the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, not Mother Teresa.

Miracles and the End of Time

The Shroud of Turin remains a point of interest, and the transcript asserts that there is no natural explanation for the image found upon it. In a supernatural event involving Sts. Benedict and Scholastica, God sent a storm because St. Scholastica prayed that her brother, St. Benedict, would not leave her.

Regarding the end of time, the Resurrection of the Body refers to the reuniting of the body and soul of all the dead when Christ returns. According to St. Paul, the best proof of this future resurrection is that Jesus Himself rose from the dead. At the resurrection, the just will enjoy eternal life in glorified bodies, while the wicked will not experience eternal life with God. Jesus promised an Advocate—the Holy Spirit—to His disciples during the Last Supper. Jesus noted that while the disciples would receive the Spirit, "the world" cannot accept the Holy Spirit.

Questions & Discussion

Q: Who were the members of the Body of Christ? Everyone who has been baptized.

Q: What is the source of each person’s dignity? We are made in God’s image.

Q: Why was the storm sent to Sts. Benedict and Scholastica? St. Scholastica prayed that St. Benedict would not leave.

Q: What is the primary example of the Church’s liturgy? The Mass.

Q: What is a charism? A gift of grace from the Holy Spirit that helps someone serve God and the Church.

Q: Upon whom does Jesus build his church? Peter.

Q: Which leader was NOT a Christian? Nero.

Q: What event inspired St. Augustine to write The City of God? The sack of Rome.

Q: What was the name of the Greek translation of the Old Testament that Jesus quoted from? Septuagint.

Q: Why is terminal lucidity evidence for a non-physical soul? People can think clearly without a functioning brain.